WATCH: South Africa's superb catching the highlight of first session in WTC Final as Australia are pegged back
There was a hint of doubt of in the air before the toss at Lord's on Wednesday. Is this a batting first or bowling first scenario for the World Test Championship Final? Both teams have gun bowling units, but it can be tricky to bowl first at Lord's if the weather is predicted to be good for the duration of the match. But ahead of the first morning, there was cloud cover… and that was enough to tempt Temba Bavuma to bowl first. As Stuart Broad said during the pitch report, at Lord's it is often a case of 'look up, not down.'
For the first few overs, there wasn't enough movement of the brand new Dukes ball and one started to wonder. But in one over – the 7th of the morning – Kagiso Rabada struck twice. Marco Jansen then removed a defensive-minded Marnus Labuschagne in the 18th over. And in the last before over lunch, South Africa stood fully vindicated of their decision. Jansen struck again to remove Travis Head, the danger man when it comes to these ICC finals.
And through it all, South Africa's catching stood out as much as their bowling.
The pressure pays off! 🤩#KagisoRabada strikes twice to spice things up early on in the ICC #WTC25 Final! 💪
LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/9lZGHcdMLn #WTCFinal | #SAvAUS, Day 1, watch LIVE on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi & JioHotstar pic.twitter.com/U32yfDIWEQ
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) June 11, 2025
For the first wicket, when Usman Khawaja's patient vigil ended on a 20-ball duck, David Bedingham took a sharp catch to his left at first slip despite Aiden Markram at second slip nearly coming in his line of sight. Later in the over, it was Markram's turn to catch low at second slip, this time Wiaan Mulder coming into the path of the delivery but the former captain stayed low and kept his eye on the ball to take a stunner. Later Nasser Hussain explained on air how the South Africa slip cordon got it spot on with their positioning to adjust for the Lord's slope… for Khawaja they were further behind as the ball flew while for the right-handed Green, they came in closer and ensured the ball carried.
#MarcoJansen dismisses TravisHead after a splendid catch by #KyleVerreynne behind the stumps! 🔥
LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/9lZGHcdeVP #WTCFinal | #SAvAUS, Day 1, watch LIVE on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi & JioHotstar pic.twitter.com/i4HNMMtsrW
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) June 11, 2025
Then on the stroke of lunch Kyle Verreynne, who was appreciated earlier for setting the tone for the slip cordon by his positioning as the wicket-keeper is often expected, pulled off a blinder himself. Travis Head, usually known to enjoy his share of luck early on in his knock, would rue it this time. It was an ordinary delivery that was angled beyond the leg side, and he held his bat out tamely for the ball to kiss the edge. But Verreynne still had a lot to do, he dived full length to his right and plucked a one-handed catch as South Africa owned the first session.
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